I hate brushing my cats.  It's hard to remember to take the time to do it, and they don't like it much either.  The best case scenario is for them to tolerate it, albeit barely; worst case is that they spin around and attack the brush (or me!) for forcing them to suffer the indignity.

But there are actually some very good reasons why brushing cats is good, especially those with medium- or longer-length coats.

• Brushing reduces how many mats you'll have to cut out.  Especially as cats get older and they aren't as good at getting tangles out of their fur with their tongues, mats can develop, and once they've started there is no choice but to cut them out.  If left in, the mats will only get worse, and will eventually get so close to the skin as to be uncomfortable for the cat and nearly impossible to cut out.
• Brushing reduces the number of hairballs you'll have to clean up.  If you can brush your cats and pick up some of the loose hair with the brush, they will swallow less hair themselves, and you won't have as many yucky hairballs to pick up.  'Nuff said.
• Brushing reduces the amount of vacuuming you have to do.  If you have ever had a cat that sheds a lot -- even a short-haired one -- you know that cat hair can be persistent stuff.  It floats around, collects under furniture, and gets embedded in upholstery, blankets, you name it.  Luckily you can be spared chasing dust bunnies around with the vacuum if you take a few minutes each day to brush your cat.  The brush picks up the loose hair, you put the hair in the trash, and there is less cleanup all around -- for everyone!